Speake
The 2 1/2 acre wooded site slopes down the west side of Buckingham Point to a 30 ft. high basalt cliff overlooking Clear Lake. There are additional southwest views to Mt. Konocti and northwest views across the lake towards Rodman Slough.
Although the standard design approach of setting the house broadside to the shoreline gives maximum lake view to the greatest number of rooms, it provides only token experience of the oak woodlands that surround the lake. To integrate the woodland with the design scheme, as well as capture the views of the lake, the house is elongated perpendicular to the shoreline. The resulting parti is a central spine stepping down the slope with various appendages attached to the sides. This results in minimal removal of major trees and provides southerly sun exposure for most of the rooms, as well as the pool.
The covered entry porch between the garage and house is reached via concrete steps descending from the parking/turning circle. As one moves down through the central spine the ground is dropping away even faster and upon arrival at the living room with its prow-like deck, one seems to soaring above the basalt cliff just beyond. This movement of the house out towards the lake serves as a graceful way to achieve elevation above the Toyon and Manzanita undergrowth without climbing a stairway. Various appendages expand the spaces laterally as space and orientation requirements dictate. The most extreme of these is the master bedroom which is set in a small clearing to the north and reached via an enclosed bridge.
The central spine has three gable roofs with overhanging eaves and significant east-west braced cantilevers for sun shading. The ridge beams are supported by a series of center post trusses and lateral moment frames. All roofs and appendage walls are reddish-brown standing seam metal and the spine walls are earth colored plaster, hues harmonious with the surrounding soil and summer landscape. High volumes, extensive glass, and minimal detailing help maintain one’s experience of the woodland setting and lake beyond.
Although the standard design approach of setting the house broadside to the shoreline gives maximum lake view to the greatest number of rooms, it provides only token experience of the oak woodlands that surround the lake. To integrate the woodland with the design scheme, as well as capture the views of the lake, the house is elongated perpendicular to the shoreline. The resulting parti is a central spine stepping down the slope with various appendages attached to the sides. This results in minimal removal of major trees and provides southerly sun exposure for most of the rooms, as well as the pool.
The covered entry porch between the garage and house is reached via concrete steps descending from the parking/turning circle. As one moves down through the central spine the ground is dropping away even faster and upon arrival at the living room with its prow-like deck, one seems to soaring above the basalt cliff just beyond. This movement of the house out towards the lake serves as a graceful way to achieve elevation above the Toyon and Manzanita undergrowth without climbing a stairway. Various appendages expand the spaces laterally as space and orientation requirements dictate. The most extreme of these is the master bedroom which is set in a small clearing to the north and reached via an enclosed bridge.
The central spine has three gable roofs with overhanging eaves and significant east-west braced cantilevers for sun shading. The ridge beams are supported by a series of center post trusses and lateral moment frames. All roofs and appendage walls are reddish-brown standing seam metal and the spine walls are earth colored plaster, hues harmonious with the surrounding soil and summer landscape. High volumes, extensive glass, and minimal detailing help maintain one’s experience of the woodland setting and lake beyond.
Country: United States
